BIG Darrell Griffin has asked to play in Sunday's Senior Academy clash against St Helens.

The former Wakefield prop is desperate to get more game time under his belt ahead of next Sunday's Super League trip to Leeds Rhinos.

Huddersfield are without a top-fight fixture this weekend, because scheduled opponents St Helens are tonight on World Club Challenge duty against Brisbane Broncos.

But the Giants do play Saints at Under 21s level on Sunday at the DRAM Centre (2.00).

And Griffin has volunteered to lead a Giants side that will include fellow first-team players Andy Raleigh, Paul Smith, Tom Hemingway and Leroy Cudjoe.

There's also a centre start for on-loan Wigan utility back Sean Gleeson, who missed last week's Academy trial match at Leigh with a stomach bug. New signing from Halifax, Sam Barlow, is another to get a run-out.

"It's a big game for a lot of players, especially the senior boys who want to force their way into contention to face Leeds," said head coach Jon Sharp.

"All the first-team boys are determined to get decent performances under their belts, and I take my hat off to Darrell for coming and asking me if he can play in this one."